About BodyViz

BodyViz is a 3D anatomy learning platform that transforms real MRI and CT imaging data into interactive 3D visualizations of human and animal anatomy. Rather than relying only on computer-generated models, 2D images, or textbooks, BodyViz gives students and educators the ability to explore real anatomy in three dimensions through virtual dissection, structured learning content, and flexible classroom and individual learning options.

Our History

BodyViz was founded in 2007 by Iowa State University professors and virtual reality pioneers James Oliver and Eliot Winer, together with surgeon Thom Lobe, MD. Developed through Iowa State University’s Virtual Reality Applications Center, the technology was originally created in response to Dr. Lobe’s vision for a 3D surgical planning tool that could transform patient MRI and CT scans into meaningful 3D visualizations. Shortly thereafter, entrepreneur Curt Carlson was recruited as CEO.

BodyViz was first used in medical practice for applications including surgical planning, pre-surgical consultation, and informed consent. In 2009, The Methodist Hospital System in Houston, now Houston Methodist, became an early adopter of BodyViz technology.

Moving Into Education

As BodyViz moved into anatomy education, our focus expanded from medical visualization to active, problem-based learning. Today, BodyViz supports high school and CTE programs, undergraduate and graduate education, medical and health sciences programs, and veterinary medicine.

One of our largest and longest-standing education relationships is with The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. In 2016, the university acquired BodyViz for its Academic Learning and Teaching Center. BodyViz was deployed across 84 interactive stations in its virtual anatomy lab, giving students hands-on access to real patient imaging in 3D while supplementing traditional gross anatomy education.

Our work with institutions including the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine also helped expand BodyViz into veterinary anatomy. Working with educators, we developed virtual dissections, patient cases, and learning activities that allow students to explore anatomy across a wide range of human and animal scans.

Learning From Real Patient Data

A central part of BodyViz is our use of actual MRI and CT data. Our library has grown to include more than 1,000 anatomical studies, giving students opportunities to explore real anatomical variation, pathology, injury, and spatial relationships rather than learning from a single idealized representation of the body.

BodyViz is not intended to replace cadaver dissection. Instead, it provides repeatable, non-destructive access to real anatomy that can be used before, during, and alongside physical lab experiences. Students can virtually dissect, annotate structures, compare cases, and revisit anatomy without being limited to a single specimen or lab session.

Expanding Access

In February 2020, we released BodyViz 6.0, expanding access beyond specialized hardware so BodyViz could run across standard computers and devices. When COVID-19 disrupted in-person education shortly afterward, our team developed student licenses and new subscription options to help anatomy programs continue virtual dissection remotely. We also expanded access to structured curriculum content through the BodyViz Portal.

That same focus on flexibility continues today. More recently, we introduced the BodyViz Anatomy Table, bringing BodyViz software and real-patient anatomy into a collaborative touchscreen format for classroom and small-group learning. Students can now work with the same type of anatomical data across individual computers, lecture environments, virtual anatomy labs, and the Anatomy Table.

BodyViz Today

Since 2007, our mission has remained consistent: to provide affordable access to virtual anatomy dissection through scalable, standard hardware platforms. What began as a way to make medical imaging easier to understand has grown into a 3D anatomy learning platform that combines real MRI and CT data, virtual dissection, curriculum content, and flexible learning environments.

Today, BodyViz supports anatomy education across high school, CTE, undergraduate, graduate, medical, and veterinary programs, helping students build a more realistic understanding of anatomy and prepare for future healthcare and life science roles.